October 5, 2005
– 8:30 am
Approved
Minutes
Members
Present:
Scott
Elston, Chair; Merwin Armstrong, Vice Chair; Kurt Behrenfeld; Kay Breed; Larry
Cornell; Tom Hartnett; Ron VanDee
Others Present:
Scott Steve, Chairman; Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Lee Price;
Carl Moses; Robert Duell; David Hartnett; Keith Dayton; Marilyn Brown; Jane
Goldner; Patrick Ruppe; Eric Mulvihill; Trish Hansen; Carletta Edwards;
On motion of Mr. Cornell, seconded by Mr. Armstrong and adopted by all members present voting aye the of minutes August 31, 2005 were approved as printed.
RESOLUTIONS:
1.
Increase
Salary, Sheriff’s Department (Court Attendants), Mr. Armstrong moved
adoption, seconded by Mr. Cornell. Chairman
Steve said he received a letter from the Unified Court System asking if the
County would like the State to take over this function.
He would like input from this committee before he answers the letter. This will not happen until into the future however the Court
System would like a letter back from Counties the may have an interest in this
happening. It would basically mean
the employees would become State employees.
Mr. Price has been talking to the judge but is unaware of what may
happen. The committee agreed that
Mr. Steve should respond that the County may support this move however would
need more information before making a decision.
All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution passes.
2.
Create
County Police Sergeant/ Amend Budget, Sheriff’s Department was pulled.
3.
Accept Grant/ Authorize Agreement, District Attorney’s Office
(Assistant District Attorney Position).
Mr. Cornell moved, seconded by Mrs. Breed.
Mr. Behrenfeld asked if this was a new program.
Mr. Hartnett said this initialed started in 2000 and covers the salary
for ¾ of a position. This
resolution is needed for the Chairman to be able to sign the agreement.
Mr. VanDee asked could this be done without going to the floor.
Chairman Steve said he needs to have the resolution done to sign the
agreement. All members voting in
favor; none opposed; resolution passes.
4.
Amend Budget, Public Defender’s Office (Assigned Counsel).
Mr. Armstrong moved, seconded by Mr. Cornell.
Mr. Schrader said they have had the conversation in the past about this
line exceeding the budgeted amount. He has been meeting with Mr. Elston and Mr.
Dayton to discuss this situation. He
is aware that some of the bills being paid for Assigned Council do not meet the
criteria of the Law and has asked the County Auditor to audit the bills for
Assigned Council expenses that have been paid.
He is trying to incorporate this into the 2006 Budget process with some
changes being made within the Public Defenders Office for cost containment in
this area. Mr. Behrenfeld asked why the costs have increased so much
this year? Mr. Schrader explained
the rates for Assigned Council were increased drastically this year.
He said he believes the County is paying costs for expenses above what is
allowed by the State. Mr. Dayton
said their office has created an Administrator of Assigned Council in the 2006
Budget to help in this area. The
invoices to be paid are submitted from the Courts and approved by the Judge and
he feels he has no right to change them if the are within legal limit.
He has been referring any invoices he believes to be above the legal
limit to Mr. Schrader. Mr. Schrader
said he believes the County should be pre-auditing the vouchers and approving
them before the Judge sees them. Mr.
Elston asked if the District Attorney’s Office operations affect this budget?
Mr. Dayton said it most certainly does.
Mr. Elston asked if this was being addressed in 2006?
Mr. Schrader said he has been meeting with Mr. Dayton and they are
trying. He said to make this work
there will need to be cooperation with the Courts. All members voting in
favor; none opposed; resolution passes.
DISCUSSION:
Mr. Elston wanted to touch on the Fire and Emergency Management Board. He said they have had Miller Technical look at the paging service for the Fire Service. There is about $95,000. setting to do this for the Fire Service Communications. This will involve about 20 sites out in the community set up to be repeaters. There is a general concern about how the County will request RFP’s. Mr. Duell suggested a sub-committee meeting be set with Miller to discuss the issue.
Mr. Schrader informed the committee that Rob Corpora and the Sheriff have
been instrumental in getting the New World System up and running.
The date for the system to go live is October 27, 2005.
He informed the committee of concerns and progress.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:15 am.